Have You Heard 2-6-05

Marilyn McKnight HarrisonMidland Reporter Telegram

Published
6:00 pm CST, Saturday, February 5, 2005

The "World's Longest Running Phantom," Franc D'Ambrosio entertained patrons of Midland Community Concerts last weekend at Midland High School Auditorium. He received the title, after having performed the lead role in "The Phantom of the Opera" more than 2,600 times.

Self-described as "a kid from the Bronx who was mesmerized by Broadway," Franc celebrated the music of the Great White Way in a crowd-pleasing program, which included a "Phantom" medley. He performed the phantom role in San Francisco for six years and also on the Broadway national tour.

Franc took his audience on a whirlwind tour of Broadway from the early 1900s and '20s to the present. Featured were music from such hit shows as "Les Miserables," "Man of LaMancha," "Brigadoon," "42nd Street," "Kiss Me Kate," "Chicago" and "Jekyll and Hyde," as well as a tribute to Bob Fosse, one of the most prolific directors and choreographers.

Concertgoers enjoyed visiting with Franc and his musical director and accompanist Chuck Larkin following their program. The artists are on a 76-city tour, which includes two weeks in the Lone Star State.

Among those seen at the event were Cindy and Jerry Walton, Megan and Paul Pause, Carolyn and Hal Roegner, Jo Swallow, Ann Hathaway (a local hairdresser) and Ann Hathaway (a community volunteer and married to Joe Hathaway), who enjoyed visiting after discovering they have the same name.

Special recognition was given to Nancy Anguish, who helped sponsor the concert, and The Hemingway, which provided the coffee at intermission.

The next concert on 2:30 p.m. Feb. 13 will feature a Matt Davenport Production, "Remembering Richard Rodgers." Those who saw his staging of "A Night with Cole Porter" last year at the Yucca Theatre know what a high-octane show to expect.

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Judge John G. Hyde presented a pictorial history of Midland the January meeting of the Midland Country Club Ladies Association. He affectionately calls his program "From Buffalo to Boomtown" and describes it as a contrast between "the way things are now and the way they were."

Judge Hyde's talk began with the travels of Capt. Randolph Marcy, an explorer/mapper of the 1840s, who noted as he came through the area, "It is not fit for habitation." This led the judge to comment that the greatest landmark of Midland is "the character of the people who live here. It's not the scenery."

In the spirit of the occasion, table decorations featured wooden buffalo cutouts and prairie flowers.

Hostesses for the social hour preceding lunch were Susie Hitchcock-Hall and Anne Coller.

As a complement to the presentation, the Arts Assembly of Midland loaned its Golfer Buffalo sculpture, which could be seen "grazing" near the driving range. The buffalo is part of the Arts Assembly's Buffalo Basin project - a way of promoting the arts in Midland through an historical West Texas figure.

Best wishes and fond farewells go with Tamra and the Rev. Lane Boyd, who have moved to Amarillo. The Rev. Boyd served as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church for almost10 years and has assumed the same position at Polk Street United Methodist Church in the Panhandle city.

A luncheon in Fellowship Hall following the late services Jan. 30 celebrated the couple's ministry and also the completion of the church's renovation/expansion project. The Boyds were presented a money tree, and it was announced that an oak tree will be planted on the church grounds in their honor. They will be missed.

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For its first fund-raiser of the new year, the Midland Woman's Club hosted its annual Mexican fiesta dinner and silent auction.

Held at the clubhouse in Hogan Park, the event was festive as ever, with colorful decor, the lively music of singer/guitarist Diana Gomez, and a delicious meal.

Virginia Lyle was the winner of a popular raffle item, a beautiful cream-colored afghan made by Edna Sexton.

Ways and means chairman Carolyn McGaha was in charge of arrangements. Nancy McNerney and Pat Southerland arranged for the silent auction.

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Midlanders made the news at the presidential inauguration. Pictured in the Jan. 31 issue of U.S. News & World Report are Midland County Republican chairman Sue Brannon and Gayle Dodson, both friends of the first family. They are shown stepping out at the Texas State Society Black Tie and Boots Ball.

Cynthia and Dennis Grubb of Wemus Entertainment were seen on Greta Van Susteren's "On the Record"program on Fox News. They explained their job of providing all the entertainment for the inaugural festivities for their friend, President Bush.

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The Museum of the Southwest's "Elegant Elephant Sale," is only the weekend of May 12-14 at the museum.

The Jan. 30 column erroneously said the sale continues May 20-21.

The Reporter-Telegram regrets the error.

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Readers wishing to have an event included in "Have You Heard?" may submit it to "Have You Heard," P.O. Box 1650, Midland, Texas 79702; fax 570-7650; or purple@mrt.com